“Any other team that tries to deal for him would be getting a rental player” - NBA insider says signal to the league is that Kyrie Irving wants to be in LA beyond next season
Despite Kyrie Irving's decision to opt in to the final year of his contract with the Brooklyn Nets, the star guard could be on the move this offseason. While Irving could realistically land anywhere, the LA Lakers are the team primarily interested in trading for him.
After a disappointing season with Russell Westbrook running the point for the Lakers, a swap between Westbrook and Irving is not out of the realm of possibility.
On "NBA Today," analyst Dave McMenamin said:
"The Lakers have the type of package that should be able to acquire Kyrie Irving. Especially if the signal is out to the league that Kyrie would like to be in LA beyond next season. So any other team that tries to deal for him would be getting a rental player. Quite frankly, a rental player with some warts."
If teams around the league feel Irving only wants to be traded to the Lakers, they will likely avoid putting together a package for the Brooklyn guard. A player who is only available for one year and likely to miss several games is unlikely to generate much interest.
“The Lakers have the type of package that should be able to acquire Kyrie Irving especially the signal is out to the league that Kyrie would like to be in LA beyond next season so any other team that try’s to deal for him would be getting a rental player”https://t.co/JC6iLtDYWn
While the Lakers would still need to find a way to make the finances work, a move for Irving is a possibility.
Kyrie Irving is still a long way away from joining the Lakers
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, there is currently "no traction" regarding a trade for Irving.
"There's no traction on any type of a Lakers deal for Kyrie Irving & I'm not sure we're gonna see that take place" ~@ShamsCharania
#PMSLive https://t.co/tYQeAn4yqy
While the LA Lakers have the means to acquire the point guard, there is no guarantee that a deal will take place. Nevertheless, there is plenty of time for the Lakers and Nets to figure out how to execute a trade.
If the Lakers can put together the sort of deal that the Nets want for Irving, the former NBA champion could be in Los Angeles for some time.
Irving and LeBron James won the 2016 title with the Cleveland Cavaliers, so a reunion in Los Angeles with the Lakers' superstar is tempting.
Irving, the 2011-12 Rookie of the Year, is a seven-time All-Star who has played for three franchises in his 11 seasons. In three seasons in Brooklyn, he's played 103 of 226 games in the regular season.